Louise Westawski 
Nov. 24, 1992 
Louise T. Westawski, 55, Of Aleeda Boulevard, Bear Creek Township, Died 
Tuesday Morning In Community Medical Center, Scranton.

Elderly Driver Dies After Plowing Into Rig 
87-year-old Nanticoke Man's Car Ran Into Side Of Tractor-trailer As It Was 
Backing Into A Loading Dock On East 
Market Street

Wednesday, November 25, 1992 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 3A QUICK WORDS: VAN ATTA CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE WILKES-BARRE 





INSIDE -- Dale Van Atta, nominated three times for a Pulitzer Prize for
investigative journalism, speaks at the 108th annual Greater Wilkes-Barre
Chamber of Commerce dinner Tuesday night. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 *************************** &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Top journalist gives peek into lives of powerful &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 By LISA SCHEID &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Times Leader Staff Writer &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 WILKES-BARRE -- Whispered secrets and capital corruption. Warnings for and
about President-elect Bill Clinton. Revelations. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Speaking at the 108th annual Chamber of Commerce dinner at the Genetti
Hotel and Convention Center, Pulitzer Prize nominated journalist Dale Van
Atta-took about 500 Wilkes-Barre business people on a verbal trip through the
world with intimate glimpses of some of its leaders. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Stunned by "the degree to which American politicians are willing to lie to
get elected," Van Atta still found his country the most principled and "97
percent of the politicians totally honest in what they are trying to do." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "God Bless the USA," Van Atta ended his hour-long speech after citing some
of the toughest questions he has asked world leaders. Questions sometimes
answered after a bit of horse-trading with leaders and officials, he said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In a rare departure, he corresponded with Gen. Norman Schwartzkopf who, in
a letter, allowed the journalist a glimpse of what he offered in his prayers
before the Gulf War. Schwartzkopf is the subject of a book by Van Atta and
Jack Anderson, with whom Van Atta writes a syndicated column. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The audience gasped when Van Atta described the laws in Saudi Arabia that
allowed them to give sanctuary to Idi Amin, former dictator of Uganda who was
accused of butchering more than 250,000 of his citizens. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In Russia, Van Atta asked Boris Yeltsin how he lost his thumb and
forefinger. It was a question a CIA agent had asked him to pose. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The answer, Van Atta said, gave him insight into a man who believes he has
a divine mandate to rule Russia. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 An embarrassed Yeltsin revealed to the journalist he lost his fingers as a
youngster trying to take apart a hand grenade he stole to use in a
neighborhood brawl by hitting it with a hammer. Yeltsin only disclosed that
story because Van Atta shared ideas on caucusing. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Reflecting on the troubles Clinton might face, Van Atta pointed to the
Middle East where Iran has begun to rebuild its military might. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "One of the most secretive things (Clinton) has done is meet with an
Iranian opposition group," Van Atta said. The group is based in Iraq.

Hush Hush Stuff *************************** Photo Times Leader/don Carey The View From